November 2013

& black

Florida’s first high school newspaper Hillsborough High School 5000 N. Central Ave. Tampa, FL 33603 November 2013 hhstoday.com @hhstodayonline Volume 114, No. 3

{ } A peek inside the teenage mind p7-13

Meet the C lunch rappers p16

Remembering a fallen friend p18

Earl Garcia’s career turns 40 p19

PARTY like it’s 1920

Homecoming in pictures p17

Seniors Tyler Mills and Ka’Oni Tossaint react to their crowning as king and queen at Homecoming. (Photo by Hannah Baade)

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2news

hhstoday.com stoday.com | November 2013

& black

Raises for teachers John Veliz Staff Writer

Editors-in-Chief Nikki Ferrera Ellie Rodriguez

News Editors

Entertainment ment Editorss

Ivy Bennett-Ford Hayley McAleese Maria Roberts

Daniel Dolford lford Vijata Patel atel

Opinion Editors

Life Editor tor

Kathy Xie Cade McCurdy

Holly Schroeder oeder

“I feel that I don’t know much[about the pay scale] yet... I’m a little worried about how merit pay will be incorporated.”

-Elizabeth Funk, math

“I still have a few questions. I don’t see how it’s possible that people are getting all this extra money.”

-Mike Mikulec, AP Euro

Photo Editors itors

Sports Editors

Katie Frost ost Aleesha Mundra undra

Samantha Votzke Daniel Hamilton

Staff Writers Vincent Bencomo David Blanchard Sarvika Bommakanti Clayton Callison Josie Chappell Sophia Diaz-Carraway Dana Dinh Valean Hawkins Kenni Holland Jose Leon Kourtney Melendi Monisha Pillai Vishwa Shah Shelby Shoup John Veliz

“I think it’s been a long time coming.It’s something teachers deserve and will be excited to get.” -Daniel Close, math

“Seems like it’s a good thing. Some people will be getting a huge raise.”

-Brian Chevalier, U.S. history

What was promised?

In March, Gov. Rick Scott promised a merit-based $2,500 pay raise for all eligible teachers in the state.

Why wouldn’t that work?

It would have cost $393 million statewide to give the raise to every teacher that met the requirements.

What’s actually happening?

Hillsborough County teachers are receiving a 4 percent pay raise. Support staff members are also earning a 4-9 percent increase in pay. For a teacher making $40,000 a year, the increase is $1,600.

Isn’t there also a new pay scale for Hillsborough teachers?

Yes, the new scale dictates the salary of employees based on not only years of experience and level of education, but also on performance. For many, it will dramatically increase their salaries. New teachers are automatically on the scale; veterans will have a choice to opt in.

Adviser

Joe Humphrey, MJE

Principal Johan von Ancken

The Red & Black belongs to the Florida and National Scholastic press associations. The paper is subject to prior review by school administration.

The staff editiorial reflects the view of student editors and the columns represent the viewpoints of their authors. The R&B welcomes letters from students, teachers and members of the Hillsborough community. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity, and should be submitted to Room 506 or to the Red & Black, 5000 N. Central Ave., Tampa, Fla. 33603.

Advertising content is subject to approval of the editorial board. The Red & Black is printed in partnership with The Tampa Tribune. This newspaper includes content from the MCT Campus wire service.

Phone (813) 276-5620; Fax (813) 276-5629; e-mail hhstoday@gmail.com Red & Black: All-Florida, FSPA; First Class, NSPA HHSToday.com, All-Florida, 2012-13

www.hhstoday.com

Vishwa Shah and Hayley McAleese again replaced by longtime teacher Ilza Rizzo, who was moved to AP Staff Writer and News Editor Nearly 500 students in Geometry, AP Statistics, Algebra 2 and Liberal Statistics.

Senior Armando Bejarano said that Rizzo is trying to integrate the Arts Math spent most or all of the first quarter with substitute teachers, lessons from the first nine weeks into her current lesson plan to try to leaving them weeks behind their peers in other classes.

Some of the substitutes tried to teach but, “taught things the harder make up for lost time, but the students in his class are still lost.

Bejarano said that though it is harder to learn the mateway,” according to sophomore and Algebra 2 student Sierra Collins. Nikki Oneal, a sophomore in Liberal Arts, had a “It’s not fair. They rial now, it is not a lost cause. Rizzo is offering help after different experience with her substitute and said that they should have had [a school for students and Bejarano said it is now really up to much [the students] want it.” played on the computer everyday instead of learning math. teacher] there.” “howSophomore Claudia Rivera is a Liberal Arts student and The school was working to replace these substitutes -Nikki Oneal, 10 she is nervous for the upcoming End of Course exam in with certified teachers since the beginning of the year and had supposedly made some progress by hiring a new teacher for Geom- December.

Her teacher was replaced, but left for another teaching position and etry and AP Statistics, and hiring temporary teachers for Algebra 2 and she yet again has no teacher. Rivera said this whole process is not fair to Liberal Arts, Jacob Sanders and Juan Gomez, respectively.

For many of the students though, this isn’t enough. Oneal was upset the students and questioned why the school would offer a class without that her new teacher simply started teaching where the students should having a teacher to teach it.

Principal Johan von Ancken said Monday, that administration is prehave been in the curriculum.

There were problems with the hired AP Statistics teacher, so he was paring to hire two new teachers in the coming days.

Ivy Bennett-Ford Maria Roberts News Editors

Blocked off

Gerard Davis, senior, said that “[he] gets too distracted,” to work with block schedule.

Kids could take eight classes as opposed to seven Q: Do you think block is a good thing?

A: In my opinion, [block scheduling] works fine because that’s what I’m used to.

Q: Would block work here?

A: Probably not … kids don’t like it; kids hate long classes and trying to remember if it’s Day 1 or Day 2.

-Sala Senoga-Zake, 12, former Hillsborough student, current Middleton student

November 2013 | hhstoday.com

Hillsborough students either have block scheduling or traditional; for some with block, the system works. They get their work done and manage to function. Though Middleton High school has block, it is unlikely that Hillsborough will also make the transition. According to Principal Johan von Ancken, this is because another teacher would have to paid for the eighth class.

“For the love of god, give us block schedule.”

Mark Hernandez, 11

According to Anatomy and Physiology teacher James Gabriel, “for advanced AP, Gabriel has experience with traditional and block schedules.

2/5

What would happen were block scheduling were taken away?

2/3

classes block is better.”

students said block sceduling wouldn’t help them get more work done (survey of 30 students)

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IB freshmen said block scheduling ultimately helps them perform better in school.

“We should get a block schedule because was have a lot of work… ’Dude, we have other classes’ it would be more helpful. I have one AP class and a bunch of honors classes.”

Ashley Greene, 11

“I do parts of my homework that I didn’t finish at home in them.

I don’t take electives, so switching wouldn’t help me ...

I wouldn’t have time to eat my lunch.”

Eduuy McCook, 9 “I think [JA] are really helpful…for catching up on missing work. IB kids need

[JA] to function ... I’d be very mad if they took them away.

Kendall Gribble, 12

How to ace the college Common App

According to senior Aaron Hothem, Common App is the simplest way to complete college applications. Here’s a run-down of the process.

Maria Roberts News Editor Q: When should I begin my application process?

A: The best time to start is the summer before senior year for the actual applications, but students should spend junior year preparing their GPA and test scores with a specific college in mind.

to the school if they accept you with financial aid. You have to go attend that school if you are accepted.

Q: What is early action?

A: Early action allows students to receive their acceptances or rejections much earlier. Students who apply for early action also are supposed to have a better chance of being receiving scholarships.

Q: How do I begin applying?

A: Look into what you need for each college you want to apply to. Organize what you need into a folder or a list for each of your choice colleges. Find out how the colleges prefer students to apply, by mail or online.

Q: Should I apply to a college even if my scores are below what they listed as their ranges?

A: The scores listed on the college websites are only averages of what the colleges will accept. They are not the cutoff scores. Other scores will most likely be accepted as well.

Q: What is early decision? Should everyone use it?

A: Early decision is only for students who are set on what college they want to go to. You can only apply to one of these schools and you are bond

Q: Where should I look for more information about applying to colleges?

A: bigfuture.collegeboard.org AND commonapp..com

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4opinion* hhstoday.com | November 2013

editorial

Modern humans, bad survival skills A man standing in a crowded San Francisco train pulls out a .45-caliber pistol, to possibly the most unexpected reaction from passengers in history: Complete and utter indifference.

Dozens of passengers sat and stood mere feet from Nikhom Thephakayson on a September afternoon as he waved a gun around several times, even wiping his nose with the hand that held the gun once. No one reacted to the spectacle until he shot and killed student Justin Valdez as Valdez was getting off the train.

So what was the reason for this disastrous lack of response from bystanders?

Every person on the train was too consumed with their smartphones.

While smartphones have been commonly used as a civilian tool for reporting crime, it can be seen from this San Francisco murder that unfortunately, handheld technology is actually making people oblivious of the environment around them.

Needless to say, there is something se-

verely wrong with this picture.

People today have become so engrossed in their smartphones that they become completely ignorant of their surroundings. Consequently, there are extreme and violent incidents like the murder in San Francisco, and there are other accidents as well, seen in viral videos – we all remember the woman who was so absorbed with texting that she plummeted straight into a mall fountain, or the guy who was so immersed in his phone he almost walked into a black bear.

Those were just harmless viral videos that many have laughed at, but it underscores the more serious issue that the population is excessively – almost dangerously – dependent on our electronic devices.

As teens, it may seem at times as if our

entire existence rests on livetweeting every second of our lives or Instagramming that photo of that event. Nothing on your smartphone is important enough to risk

your own safety and that of others.

We cannot have another tragic murder like that of Justin Valdez.

It’s time to put down our phones.

*The opinion section represents opinions expressed by any student; opinions expressed in the editorial are supported by the Editorial Board (listed on page 2)

yousaid it “I [wore] a cape and a Batman shirt anyways.”

- Kathleen Tan, 10 “I really didn’t mind at all.”

- Phillip Fernandez, 12

How do you feel about not being allowed to wear costumes to school on Halloween?

{ } “Students wanted to show their Halloween spirit. It would have been better if we were informed earlier that we weren’t allowed to wear costumes instead of on the day before.”

- Abhishek Taiwade, 11

Don’t take success for granted Ivy Bennett-Ford Commentary Kids these days with our hair and our music don’t understand what it’s like to be an expensive organization with no consistent income.

Sure, some of us have jobs and do a lot more towards supporting ourselves than we should have to at our age. But, most of our peers don’t know what it’s like to be responsible to about ten other people for financial grants.

A grant is a form of donation that organizations have the potential to receive if they apply and meet the criteria of a generous benefactor.

It’s a bit terrifying for a normal high school student to approach a corporation or local business owner to ask for money. It could appear rude, insensitive or foolish.

But that’s the life you lead when you help run a club that is horrendously expensive and slightly destructive.

What can I say, robots are weird and grants are a good way to accumulate the dough.

In the past few months, Robotics has written several White Papers, preliminary requests for grants from large (wealthy and generous) organizations. The White Paper is no guarantee, though.

The process of applying to apply, though ridiculous, is kind of exciting. This is because there are no other kind of high school clubs that I know of that have need of grant writing.

In my opinion, grant-writing is a pretty handy skill to pick up. In the context of a high school, grant writing will prepare you for nabbing a job and keeping it in future.

point

COUNTER

November 2013 | hhstoday.com

point

Should Hillsborough County schools adopt a later start time?

I can’t be the only one who has rolled out of bed to be greeted by a dark Wake up. Go to school. Go to clubs. Go home. Do homework. Sleep. window and wonder why I have to be up if the sun isn’t. Starting high school This cycle won’t change whether we push back school times or not. after 8 a.m. is a great idea because it means more sleep for the average stuFor a long time, students have argued that we should start school an dent. hour or two later, so we will be more awake for classes. However, they fail Teenagers have distinctly different sleep patterns than adults and young to realize that even if we start school later we will still have a seven-hour children because of puberty. We don’t start producing melatonin (hormone school day and the same amount of homework. If school starts later, we that causes sleep) until 1 a.m.; unlike adults who start producing it at 10 will sleep later too, and would ultimately end up getting the same amount p.m., and teens’ bodies don’t stop producing melatonin until late morning. of sleep.

Consequently, our traditionally early school schedules are unnatural to our Our sleep cycles are dictated by circadian rhythms. These rhythms use growing bodies. biological and environmental factors to determine when we should be Teenagers require eight to 10 hours of sleep. Not being able to fall asleep sleeping. until 11 p.m. and having to get up at 5 a.m. to make the bus leaves students Through evolution, our circadian rhythms have rooted to working with a meager six hours of sleep, which is defiduring the day and sleeping at night. Trying to nitely not enough to function and pay attention State Rep. Matt Gaetz has proposed change your sleep schedule interferes with these in school. and can result in diza bill that would require all public pulses, Not getting enough sleep can ziness and anxiety. Pushing high schools to start no earlier cause teenagers to eat more unschool back and therefore pushhealthy food, leading to weight ing our bedtimes back will tamthan 8 a.m. gain. Less sleep also makes teens more prone to per with this natural cycle, and be unhealthy in acne and other skin problems. With puberty already causing me to break the long run. out, I would really appreciate living without one more pimple from extreme Teachers would be expected to change their work schedules to ones sleep deprivation. that are different from those of their comrades. Meetings with teachers There is nothing worse than being yelled at in front of the whole class for from schools that follow the practical schedule would be difficult to ornot being able to keep your eyes open. If school were to start ganize. Teachers from schools with a modified schedule would later, students would get more sleep and would do betnot be able to spend as much time with their own chilter in class. High schools that have already made the dren, who may attend traditionally scheduled change to a later starting time have seen a reduction schools. in tardiness and absenteeism, better grades and a If we make school start later, it will interfere reduced risk of teens falling asleep at the wheel and with our parents’ work schedules. How are pargetting in to a car crash. Overall, these schools are ents expected to take us to school when they home to healthier students. have their own jobs?

Some people may argue that starting high And really, if the school schedule were to be school later would interfere with bus schedules, pushed back, it will be extremely unlikely – and but it wouldn’t be difficult to switch high school bus inconvenient at best – for bus riders to be on time schedules with elementary school bus schedules. to school, since the buses would operate at rush Starting school later would cause it to end later, afhour. fecting after-school activities. However, education and Those who oppose the school schedule that we health of the student should come before extracurricular currently follow need to take into consideration the folactivities. lowing: A later school starting time offers no benefits Starting school later would give us around five exfor anyone, so there is no reason to make changes in tra hours of sleep a week, and there’s definitely nothing the first place. wrong with that.

-Sophia Diaz-Carraway -Shelby Shoup

YES

NO

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Texting while driving now illegal

hhstoday.com | November 2013

Club Update

Ophelia Club The Ophelia Club created and signed a Body Peace Project Pledge. Each member had the opportunity to create a pledge.

Pledges ranged from things such as eating healthy to not judg-

1 in 300

The 1 in 300 club held a fundraising tailgate before the football game against Durant on Oct. 25.

Students could buy a $15 ticket to the tailgate during the school week. The tickets included food as well as a ticket to

Key Club

ing people. Members would then sign their pledge and sign the pledges made by fellow members. The pledges are on display in the 500 Hall.

-Hayley McAleese

the game. Club members volunteered to help serve food, face paint, provide henna, or referee darts games. All money raised at the tailgate will be donated to diabetic research organizations.

-Maria Roberts

At the most recent Key Club meeting, members created holiday greeting cards for patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Plans were also made for their upcoming events at the Heart

Club Picture Day Club Picture Day is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 4.

All clubs will be able to have their photos taken throughout that day for inclusion in the 2014 yearbook.

Each club will be given passes for students

Terriers take KnightMUN

John Veliz Staff Writer

Members of the Model United Nations, along with over 300 other delegates, took part in KnightMUN on Oct. 19. In this annual competition, participants represent different member states of the United Nations and in any of 8 different committees, argue their country’s point of view on varying issues and topics.

Even with it being the first competition of the school year, Hillsborough won three of the 32 awards presented.

Senior Sumanth Potluri won Honorable Mention in the UNHCR committee for his representation of Argentina on the issues surrounding the North Korean

Walk of Tampa on Nov. 2 and other future walks in the area. The club’s officers plan to participate and volunteer at multiple walks and runs this coming year.

-Ellie Rodriguez

refugees of China and the impact of climate change on migration and displacement.

Sophomore Vishwa Shah and

to participate at their scheduled times.

“No pass, no photo,” said yearbook adviser Joe Humphrey.

Advisers with specific time requests should contact Humphrey in Room 506.

Florida has officially started towards outlawing texting while driving. The law went into effect Oct. 2.

The texting while driving ban is currently categorized as a secondary offense. This means that police cannot directly cite the driver for texting, but can do so if it leads to a more serious offense.

Senior Aaron Lee approves of the law.

“I think the law is necessary in order to ensure the safety and well-being of not only the driver, but the people on the road as well,” said Lee. “I also think that strongly enforcing it should be mandatory.”

The law states that it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while using hand-held devices, with an exception of when the driver is at a red light. The initial fine for texting while driving is $30, rising to $60 on a secondary offense.

-Sarvika Bommakanti

Band gets Superior at MPA

Key Club members work on cards for St. Joseph’s Hospital patients. (Photo by Ellie Rodriguez)

The Big Red Band spent Nov. 2 at Bloomingdale High School for its Music Performance Assessment. MPA is based on five categories: two kinds of musical presentation, percussion, dancerette involvement and the overall effect of the show. The band got superiors (the highest possible rating) in four of five categories and superior overall.

-Cade McCurdy

Journalists win awards freshmen Meghana Bhimreddy, both delegates for the nation of Thailand, were given awards for their position papers, documents

Delegates, from right, Hugh Nguyen, Sumanth Potlouri and Arpan Parekh dicuss their resolution on North Korean refugees (Photo by Vishwa Shah)

detailing their nation’s opinions on the topics that were discussed.

Shah participated in the WHO committee, where she debated over female genital mutilation and the effect of climate change and human health.

“I’m surprised; I wasn’t expect it at all,” Shah said. “I hope I can do just as good at the next conference” Bhimreddy’ position paper won in the General Assembly, which generally contains the largest amount of delegates of all the committees.

This year, they touched upon the topics of bioterrorism, the Arms Trade Treaty and the conflict in Mali.

Hillsborough High School attended the District 4 Florida Scholastic Press Association workshop held at the University of South Florida on Oct. 4.

The Red & Black, Hilsborean and HELM won awards in statewide and on-the-spot contests that day.

Thomas Liu, a Hilsborean staff member, was elected District 4 student representative, taking the place of Liz Tsourakis, another Hillsborough student. Hillsborough adviser Joe Humphrey was recognized as District 4 Journalism Teacher of the Year.

First Place Winners: Liz Tsourakis and Teresa Chorvat (Fall Yearbook Spread); Nikki Ferrera and Holly Schroeder (Newspaper Features Section); Kathy Xie, Jose Leon and John Veliz (Newspaper Commentary with Artwork); Aaren Zhu (Hand-drawn Illustration); Ahava Jernigan (Review Writing); Ellie Rodriguez (Infographic Design).

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inside thethmind e-

November 2013 | hhstoday.com

Amtereiceannager -of

2

1

3

7

4

8 9 10

6

5

Time Magazine calls us the Me Me Me Generation. To others, we’re known as the Millennials. Sometimes, it seems like adults are so concerned with labeling us, when in reality, there isn’t one single, overarching definition of who we are.

We are American teenagers. We’re dynamic, we have opinions and ideas, delights and detests and, despite what everyone thinks, we don’t spend all of our time taking selfies.

We balance our school life with jobs, family and friends and some of us still somehow manage to get sleep.

54%

46%

To try to get a better idea of what actually goes on in the mind of the average teenager, we surveyed Hillsborough students. We selected classes re p re s e n t a tive of the entire student body, and aimed to survey about one-fourth of the student body. Out of 450 responses distributed to students, 341 were returned – representing the viewpoints of about 1 in 5 students.

The questions were as diverse as 12th Grade the students questioned: What do 30% you think about the principal? Are you religious? Where can you get a good burrito? Do you support the legalization of marijuana?

11th Grade Results were then tabulated using 20% a spreadsheet. Much like the teenage brain, the results are displayed a little randomly. Since you can only Traditional take so many pie charts, staff mem72% bers aimed to create a more visual representation, which you’ll find in the coming pages. : 7%

Radio

9th Grade 23%

10th Grade 27%

IB 28%

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hhstoday.com | November 2013

How do you feel about leaving high school?

Should abortion

How important is religion in your life?

be legal?

10%

10%

9%

4%

8%

17%

8%

9%

6%

26% said yes, but only when the woman’s health is endangered or she was raped

19%

23% said they have one or two best friends

Yes 54%

28% said they large group of friends from multiple social groups

7% Barely important

13% Somewhat important

24% said no, not under any circumstances

Not sure 7%

No idea 3%

49% said they have a small group of good friends

16% Not important

29% said yes, I support the right to choose

Do you know what you’d like to pursue once you leave high school?

Friend groups

I don’t affiliate with a religion

31%

21% said I have no opinion

Very important

32%

Should the death penalty be legal?

I have s some idea 36%

22% said no.

26% said yes, when the public is endangered.

52% said yes, when the offender deserves it.

100

80

How many

H URS

60

40

39% 33%

20

0

STOP

74%

texting and driving?

of students say texting and driving should be illegal

of homework do students do a night?

of students say texting and driving shouldn’t be illegal

28%

-1 hr 1-2 hr 3+ hr

How many hours of

Is Principal von Ancken doing a good job?

Strongly disagree

Agree

do students get regularly?

1-2 hr 9+ hr 3-4 hr

7-8 hr

of students do not text and drive

12%

37% of students do not drive

of students text and drive

Strongly agree

5-6 hr

51% 26%

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

“Obviously some people are looking at different criteria to evaluate that,” Principal Johan von Ancken said in response to the survey results. “If you ask ‘Is the campus safer?’ I think yes. I think if you asked ‘Are students and teachers more productive?’ the answer

would be yes. If you asked ‘Have we had as much fun and been able to have as much latitude?’ the answer of course would be no.”

“My priority is to make the school safer and increase the learning that’s going on for kids–that has to be my bottom line,” he said.

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November 2013 | hhstoday.com

80%

How much of your music is obtained?

of students said they felt unaffected by the amount of likes on a Facebook photo or post

I n t t e erests n r e t n I

legally

24%

NONE is downloaded legally

say

58%

Yes No I don’t know

3

12%

said it will stay the same 7

8 9

4 6

45% 12%

1/2

students have more than 600 friends on Facebook

of students said they don’t align with a political party

said

2

ALL is downloaded legally

of students have fewer than 100 followers on Twitter

Instagram

On a scale from 1-10, how much do you think 1 the government affects your life?

(1 being not at all, 10 being 5 it impacts all aspects of my life.)

of students of their music

52%

use

. ou Do y the U.S r k thin e bette s b r will 50 yea ? n off i it is now than 33%yes

Do you have hea th care?

34%

of students of their say music

10

54% o dn sai

30% 13%

of students said they are Democrat

of students said they of students are independent said they are Republican said they support the same political party as their parents

37%

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November 2013 | hhstoday.com

hhstoday.com | November 2013

15%

%

of s ea tude t the dinn nts n e i r f er am wit ver ily h

52%

34%

live with both parents

live with their mom

Where do students live?

9% 5%

live with their dad

don’t live with their parents

=

of students have never sent or received an inappropriate image

18

of parents use edsby to check grades

male students with a job

73%

$$ $ $$$ $ $ $ $

27%

of students have no idea what their family’s financial situation is

1

in three teenage girls

42% boys

of teenage

have admitted to

sneaking out past curfew

female students with a job

{ }

9% have a job, but it’s not steady

of students have sent or received an inappropriate photo at least once

7%

What is the primary way you get the NEWS?

Working Woman

16% have a steady job 76%

don’t have a job

15% of girls

8% of boys admit to having self-harmed

21%

20 percent of girls at Hillsborough have a steady job and one of them, junior Brittani Trimble, works at McDonald’s.

She has worked at the front counter, the drive thru and clean-up duty. “Everything except the grill.” Trimble got a job becasue she needs money to pay for gas and car insurance. “I love it because I am part of the workf orce” sha said, “I feel more mature.” For her working is an important way to lear responsibility.

1/5 girls have a job

have a job

60% of kids buy lunch at school everyday

admit to having self-harmed

TV:36%

Radio: 7%

35%

Internet: 39%

OF teens

of teens have pretended to be drunk

yes

I personally have a prescription from my doctor for Concerta 54 mg, a generic form of Adderol.

My doctor tells me only to use it when I need to concentrate, like in class or maybe during a test. I find myself using it every 12 hours when I have a lot of homework or need to study, or just want to stay awake sometimes. It’s not healthy because it causes lack of hunger, anxiety and even spasms.

I know I shouldn’t use it so much, but it increases my academic performance and makes me feel different, mostly to my liking.

Bring lunch every day

18%

Once every couple of months

7%

11% Once a week 2%

admitted to using

Aderall

to improve academic performance

Have you ever

cheated

on schoolwork?

Which asks the question...

} 14%

have been drunk before

to improve academic performance?

of students

Don’t Pay Attention: 15%

A change in law does not mean a change in habits.

Teen drinking can lead to liver damage, impaired brain development and binge drinking as adults. Kids aren’t out to have a glass of wine at dinner; they want to get buzzed. Judgment is impairedand can lead to drunk driving and unprotected sex. The legal

used Aderall

-Anonymous

Most days 9% Newspaper: 4%

Have you ever

Is 21 a realistic legal drinking age?

drinking age is based on fact, not opinion. History shows that lower drinking ages create more problems than they solve. Parents who allow their kids to drink at home, “to teach safety and responsibility” aren’t helping, either.

The law is not making alcohol more attractive to teens, it’s keeping teens and those they might hurt safe.

- Samantha Votzke, 11

Around the world, alcohol plays a major role in various cultures, whether it’s a glass of wine to accompany your meal as a child or drinking a beer after a long day at work.

Both are normal things to do in different parts of the world. The drinking age in the U.S. is 21, while the majority of the world

{ }

19% 15% never

of freshmen admitted to cheating at least once

why I pretended to be drunk at a party

implements drinking age laws such as 16 or even 14.

I believe the drinking age being lowered, at least to 18, wouldn’t be a bad move for the U.S. at all.

We have more concerning things to worry about than millions of “underage” drinkers.

- Daniel Dolford, 12

no

Society puts tremendous pressure on teenagers to be part of the “cool crowd,” however trying to fit in can often lead to situations where partying and drinking are involved. Faced with the internal conflict of my morals and a need to fit in, I have occasionally pretended to be drunk.

When I was a freshman, I dated a junior. He expected me to drink with him and his friends,

which I was far from comfortable with. Acting as though I was drinking helped them accept me, and I didn’t have to actually take part in underage illegal activity.

Pretending to be drunk offers the best of both worlds; you get to be a part of the group but don’t have to do something you aren’t comfortable with.

-Holly Schroeder, 12

of all students have

cheated

40% 40%

students think marijuana students think should be legal marijuana should be legal only for medical purposes

once

75%

of students admitted seeing a

peer cheat

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12 focus

hhstoday.com | November 2013

What’s the longest relationship you’ve been in?

20% More than 6 months

11%

More than 3 months

28% More than a year

18% Have never been in a relationship

23% Less than 3 months

pop culture

Justin Bieber

Eminem A Day to Remember

Drake

Young Money Cash Money Billionaires

Lil One Direction Rich Wayne Imagine Homie Taylor Swift DragonsQuan Romeo

Favorite Musical Group/Artist

21 Jump Street

Friday Love andThe Notebook Avengers Fast 6 BasketballTitanic World War Z Fast and Furious Transformers

Favorite Movie

Santos

Wiz KhalifaLinkin Park

How I Met Your Mother

Favorite Show Gossip Girl

The Walking Dead

Breaking Bad Family

Guy Adventure Time

Pretty Little LiarsThe Vampire Diaries

ESPN

The Big Bang Theory

Have you ever cheated on your boyfriend/girlfriend?

     

Do you use Edsby to check your grades?

77%

10% yes, just once 18% Have never had a boyfriend/ girlfriend 12% yes, on multiple occasions

60% Have never cheated

7/10 68% people have smartphones

54%

said yes

46%of people

of people have laptops

46%

of people have a Wii

of people have Netflix

45%

of people have a desktop

have an iPod

30% 40% of people have an iPad

of people have an Xbox 360 of people have a car

28%

of people have a non-Apple tablet

32%

(Photos by WilliamTheaker, Evan-Amos, Zach Vega/ Creative Commons and Windows Blog)

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focus13

November 2013 | hhstoday.com

10% of girls

4%

There are a lot of things you can buy with $40, from 11 gallons of gas to 14 school lunches.

I’d prefer to spend it on one concert ticket.

Listening to your iPod is one thing, but going to a concert is on another level. The pounding of the bass from the blasting speakers is hypnotic. The sight of your favorite bands up close and personal is surreal. The lights that bounce around the venue and on your face are incredible.

Although concert tickets are expensive, the performances they provide admission to are beyond thrilling. All things considered, the concert experience is worth every penny.

-Shelby Shoup, 10

of boys

say they own 30 or more

pairs of shoes

My teachers care about me?

“She’s not just a teacher that comes to work just to come to work, she makes sure her students understand the work and she’s there for their well-being.”

Lasha Fowler, 11, of economics teacher Jasmina Irizzary

15% Strongly Agree

“I feel like she cares about me because when I’m there I feel like I can go to her and talk about anything with her, she’s like a mom.”

61% Somewhat Agree

|25

|4

|1

| ox

n f stude ts use Fire o f 0%

|1

1%

Qdoba

Mac se?

PC at

uU

Wh

Which fast food “Mexican” restaurant do you prefer?

O

pe

rati

n g Sys t e m D

o oY

plo

i| ar

udents use Sa of st f 3%

rer|

Tijuana Flats

%

k drin coffee

| me

Moe’s

Chr f o o 9% of students use Internet Ex

% 10

rin d a i l yt 9% d k coff

ee 3

-4 times a

ek we

Chipotle

30%

e

nts use Google e d u t s

None

39%

11%

of student

9% Strongly Disagree

Khia Wilson,11, of reading teacher Keisha Pickett

19%

s have ne ver been to a concert befor 3 4% of students have been to 1-5 e 5 3% concerts befor u t s d f e n o t s have bee n to 10+ concerts before 8%

15% Somewhat Disagree

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14 entertainment hhstoday.com | November 2013

Ender’s GAME

Ender’s Game follows the life of the young Ender Wiggin as he fights for survival aboard an orbiting space station called Battle School.

Here the ruling agency over the Earth, the International Fleet, trains young boys and girls to become the greatest military geniuses the world has ever known in order to thwart an alien threat.

And among them all, Ender shines as the best and brightest, but this

fame comes with a price. Hour upon hour of rigorous training pushes him physically and the day to day struggle on board the battle school pushes his emotions, and his sanity, to the brink.

The movie came out last week.

-Vince Bencomo

“I’m interested to see how the movie portrays the book, “I read the book and I think the movie would be a ssince i really liked the book. I’ll go see it if I can.” better way to understand how we analyzed the -Emil Espinal (11) book in English class.”

-Funmi Daudu (10) “I think it’s going to be a shoot ‘em up movie. I see them portraying the buggers as grotesque aliens, rather than how the book does... and I’m wary of what these changes will do to the movie. Either way, I’ll be going to see it.”

-Sylvia Sarrett, English teacher

Katniss Everdeen

Weapon of Choice: Bow and Arrow Nickname: Catnip Birthday: May 8 District: 12 Hair: Brown Eyes: Grey Family: Mrs. Everdeen (Mother), Primrose Everdeen (sister), father deceased Best Friend: Gale Hawthrone

GAME ON I can’t wait to see it because I love those novels.”

- Jordyn Smith (12) “I think it’s going to be better. There is more revenue from the first movie to make the second movie better.”

-Suparna Narayan (10) “The first movie is going to be better, because it’s the first movie.

I can’t imagine anything better than that.”

-Alyssa Ierna (9)

What’s it about?

Katniss Everdeen volunteered in place of her sister Primrose Everdeen as District 12 tribute for the 74th annual Hunger Games. Her father died in a mining accident when she was 11 and has been supporting her family ever since by illegally hunting game and trading. She became the symbol for rebellion after she defied the Captiol during the Hunger Games. The movie comes out Nov. 22.

-Aleesha Mundra

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

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entertainment15 November 2013 | hhstoday.com

First Impressions of Last Vegas Clayton Callison Movie Review New comedy movie Last Vegas is a story of old friends enjoying a weekend in Sin City, is sure to bring a smile to the face of all who view it.

Last Vegas stars actors Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline as the “Flatbush Four,” a group of close friends who have been together since childhood. They decide to go to Las Vegas to throw a bachelor party for Billy (Michael Douglas), who is set to get married. The events that follow jerk tears of both laughter and emotion as the four carry out what could be described as the most spectacular weekend ever.

From the beginning, there was laughter throughout the theater. What was on the sscreen was not what you would expect from four men in their 60s. It was

precisely this underestimation, however, that made the jokes so funny.

Its mix of subtle, obvious, and slapstick humor makes the movie a must-see laugh out loud comedy. If you can get past the segments of cliche love story, Last Vegas rivals “The Hangover” in the field of “what can go wrong in Vegas” movies.

Although the trailers make it seem somewhat innocent, this is not a movie you want to see with your parents as it does have its fair share of sexual innuendo.

Overall, I would rate Last Vegas five out of five stars for it’s creativity and comedy. The all-star cast sets expectations high to begin with, but the film still blows you away. If you enjoy laughing until it hurts, I would highly recommend seeing The Lumineers wowed Tampa last month. (Photo by Shelby Shoup) this movie.

Lumineers amaze audience

Shelby Shoup Concert Review

Coastline set to make a splash Monisha Pillai Staff Writer Coastline Festival will be drawing significant crowds to Tampa next month.

Christened a ‘musiculinary’ experience, the all-day music festival will showcase indie-rock artists from America and Europe.

The first of its kind, Coastline is preceding 97x’s Next Big Thing festival by barely a month, drawing the attention away from this typically stadium-packing concert.

Taking place Nov. 9, Coastline’s lineup is fairly solid, including Passion Pit, The Neighbourhood, Surfer Blood, Two Door Cinema Club and a substan-

tial amount of other fairly popular indie groups.

“I’ve been to other festivals like Next Big Thing and Background Barbeque before,” says junior Vinny Ruia. “I’m excited for this one, especially to see Two Door Cinema Club.”

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Passion Pit,” sophomore Alysia Vellas adds.

Coastline is also the third major LiveNation festival to grace Tampa, however, it’s different from LiveNation’s other festivals because it’s directed more towards the younger crowd.

Tickets are on sale for $35-$55 on LiveNation’s website.

The Lumineers, the folk rock band whose claim to fame is the 2013 hit single “Ho Hey,” wowed Tampa with its radiant performance on Oct. 19.

Prior to Wesley Schultz, Jeremiah Fraites, Stelth Ulvang, Neyla Pekarek, and Ben Wahamaki -- better known as The Lumineers -- playing were the openers; Nathaniel Rateliff and his band of Denver natives and Dr. Dog, a harmony-centered acoustic rock band.

Soon enough, however, the lights dimmed, and Schultz strode out, eliciting screams from the arena.

The Lumineers proceeded to amaze the audience

with a range of songs from their 2012 self-titled album. Schultz’s vocals over the crowd’s rumble were almost hauntingly beautiful during “Dead Sea” and “Slow it Down”.

The concert had many surprises, from the cover of “Subterranean Homesick Blues” by Bob Dylan, the performance of a new unnamed song, and The Lumineers’ radical decision to perform “Elouise” and “Darlene” in the middle of the standing area.

After The Lumineers finished tossing guitar picks and set list copies to eager fans, and the woes of “postconcert depression” began to settle in, one thing was positive: The Lumineers put on a luminous concert.

Bangerz is a step down for Miley Aleesha Mundra Album Review Miley Cyrus is having an identity crisis.

After her risqué appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards, I thought that there couldn’t be any more surprises.

I stand corrected.

Her fourth album Bangerz was released on Oct. 4 and the new record is far from perfect.

The album is not centralized, as Cyrus doesn’t have a clear direction as to where she wants her music to go.

I have to agree, We Can’t Stop is a great song to

dance to.

However the rest of her album doesn’t share the amount of fame.

4x4 has country tones, while other songs such as SMS (Bangerz) are completely pop.

There is no depth in the album; all I see are poorly written songs thrown together.

I was expecting more from Cyrus.

Come on Miley, what happened?

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16 life

hhstoday.com | November 2013

Political Murder on the H Patio who is anticipating the release of his come a club for people to express themKenni Holland selves, not just rapping, but free speech, Senior Year mix tape.

Staff Writer Sastre said,“This is what I come spoken word, poems,” Kenneth JohnOn the far side of the H Patio every day during C lunch, there ex- to school every day for, we want son said, and Sastre sees them as “more ists a group known “Everybody should be able people to know of an organization than a group.”

While members overhear the comthat we aren’t just as Political Murto express themselves.” people that walk ments of “foolish” and “childish” they der.

Performing Jerarardo Sastre, 11 around this school, don’t pay it much attention, for them it their written and let them know that has a clear purpose. freestyle verses, as “Our mission is to spread a positive well as battling it out between rap- there is power in numbers.”

Political Murder was formed message as well to leave a legacy and to pers, they draw crowds and make their presence known to all on the when Sastre and Gonzalez were have people remember us as not just rapping during lunch “Not just rapping, but free as students, but patio. people who made Political Murder is led by junior and decided to do Jerrardo “The Don” Sastre, second something about it. speech, spoken word, poems.” a difference,” SasKenneth Johnson, 10 tre said. in command sophomore Pedro “[Gonzalez] knew a “I think a lot Gonzalez, beatboxer and remixers person who could beat sophomores Desmond “The Dic- box and we called our friend Izzy of people are ridiculing us, but if people tionary” Johnson, Izanami “BK” [Cobos] over and we continued rap- truly took the time to understand us, Cobos and De’vante “DJD” Lockette. ping and people were liking it,” Sas- they’d truly understand what we are trying to create.”

The MCs are sophomores Ken- tre said.

“It’s all about having a good time at Members aspire to take this lunch neth “Insomnia” Johnson, Austin “CM1’” Salb, Javier “CM2” Espinosa activity to bigger and better things. “I the end of the day,” Johnson added. and senior Jay “Jayjeezy” McNeal, feel like it would be cool if it could be-

1

2

3

1. Political Murder members, from left, Pedro Gonzalez, Kenneth Johnson, Jay McNeal, Iznami Cobos and Jerrardo Sastre perform on the H Patio during C Lunch.

2. Cobos, Sastre and Espinosa freestyle on the H Patio while onlookers enjoy the music with their lunch.

3. Cobos and Sastre provide a back beat for McNeal during his freestyle solo. (Photos by Kenni Holland)

TAKE 5WITH A TERRIER Sophomore Rayleisha Lane was chosen based on her lunch seat. Her lunch time, table number and seat number were drawn randomly to be asked five quetions about her life.

Josie Chappell Staff Writer What’s your favorite sports team?

Lane likes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because they put a lot of effort into what they do. Although they are well known for their now eight-game losing streak, she said, “People who call them garbage don’t appreciate how hard they work and couldn’t get on the field and do it themselves” What extracurriculars to you take part in?

Lane is involved in cosmetology and child development, and in her own time she enjoys singing and dancing. “I grew up with my mom singing around the house, so I’ve always really loved singing” she said. Singing also has a calming effect on Lane; she does it when she’s upset or stressed.

1

2

Lane was pulled during her lunch to be interviwed for Take 5 with a Terrier. (Photo by Jose Leon)

3

Who’s your favorite music artist?

Lane is a longtime Ciara fan and likes all of her songs, but her favorite is “And I” because it reminds her of the struggles her mom faced with men and the lyrics represent something that’s important to her.

What are your plans for after high school?

“I want to go to USF to become a nurse,” Lane said. She’s interested in becoming a pediatric nurse because of her love for children and babies. “I love them even if they’re little monsters because they’re our future,” Lane said.

What’s your favorite part about Hillsborough?

Lane’s favorite part of Hillsborough is the school spirit, specifically at the varsity football games. She likes the Dancerettes and the band’s involvement with the kids in the stands at half time. “Everyone just feels so united and happy. When the people around me are happy, I feel happy,” Lane said.

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snapshot17

Check out student Homecoming reactions and SGA’s response at www.HHStoday.com

November 2013 | hhstoday.com

Homecoming highlights 8

1

2

3

6

4

1. To keep the lead, the defensive line sits in position waiting for the snap by the Chamberlain offense. The game, a nailbiter to the end, kept the Terriers in the game to the end, giving them a close win over the Chiefs. (Photo by Katie Frost) 2. These seniors put their own spin on college day, dressing as students going to a rave. As part of Spirit Week, students were supposed to dress in college clothes on Wednesday. (Photo by Teresa Chorvat) 3. Tyler Dupree and Aejona Chambers, both seniors, pump up the crowd during the halftime show at the Homecoming game. (Photo by Hannah Baade) 4. Sophomore Sarah Allen shows off her best moves at the Great Gatsby-themed Homecoming dance on Oct. 12. (Photo by Daniel Dolford)

7 7

5 5. With adrenaline running high, the crowd cheers on the Terriers to victory over the Chamberlain Chiefs. (Photo by Hannah Baade) 6. Students show their school spirit by coming in their best tropical wardrobe, surfboards and sunglasses in tow. (Photo by Hannah Baade) 7. Junior Tanisia Esolami takes over the dance floor during A Lunch. A DJ from the homecoming dance came and previewed the music during lunch on Twin Tuesday. (Photo by Alex Lutton) 8. The drum line drops a beat during haltime of the game, energizing Terrier fans for the rest of the game. (Photo by Katie Frost)

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18 sports

To learn more about Heads Up tackling and concussions, go to usafootball.com

hhstoday.com | November 2013

Safety measures combat concussions on football field Samantha Votzke Sports Editor

Each year, 67,000 diagnosed concussions occur in high school football. In the past three years, the Hillsborough High football team has had one.

A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body. Even if one is not knocked unconscious, a concussion can still occur. Symptoms vary widely, from headaches to slurred speech.

Concussions among high school athletes, especially among football where traumatic brain injuries are most common, have been in the news recently. The NFL is engaging in a new initiative to train coaches from the pee-wee to professional levels in proper tackling methods and diagnoses.

The program, Heads Up Football, is named for the proper “heads-up” tackling method.

“I’ve always been taught heads up,” said senior Dmitri Martinez, who plays left tackle. Football coach Earl Garcia, with 40 years of experience in the sport, said he has always taught this method.

The player that received a concussion this year during the first padded practice is sophomore running back Antonio Brown. After a tackle, “I

Concussions

blacked out and felt dizzy and nauseous,” Brown said.

“I had to miss three weeks of practice and had to get checked out by the medical team.”

Senior Christian Flores, an offensive and defensive lineman, tackles and is tackled multiple times each game. Offensive lineman and senior captain Frank Carter enjoys tackling, calling it “a surge of adrenaline and testosterone.” Adrenaline, according to Flores, helps him ignore pain during the game, even once when his knee popped out of place during a block.

“It popped back in … but I had to force myself to get up,” Flores said. He recalled a tackle that he’ll “never forget.”

“It was during the Armwood game. I went to tackle another player, and when I looked up, it was like a rhino was coming straight at me. When we collided, it was like tackling a freight train,” Flores said.

Tackling by leading with the head, or spearing, is an illegal play in high school games and earns a 15yard penalty. In practice, the number of hits is limited to prevent injury.

“Any and all collision sports are dangerous,” During the game against Jefferson, senior offensive tackle Winder Jaramillo (76) and Garcia said. “The most important thing is to educate junior offensive linebacker Luis Clough (6) protect quarterback Dwayne Lawson. If eiour players. ” ther were to tackle by driving their helmet into another player,or spearing, they would receive a 15-yard penalty. (photo by Hannah Baade)

By the Numbers All stats among high school football players • 11.2 concussions per 10,000 exposures • High school players are twice as likely to sustain a concussion than college players • 67,000 concussions diagnosed per year • 5 steps in the official NFL Heads Up Tackling method • The NFL contributed $75,000 to the Centers for Disease Control for the latest concussion study Source: ESPN, National Academy of Sciences study

Wrestler Remembered

Ben Richards, 20, was a former member of the HHS wrestling team. He was attending Darton State College in Albany, Ga., and collapsed after wrestling practice on Sept.4. Richards was taken off life support on Sept. 13.

Samantha Votzke Sports Editor One day during wrestling practice, freshman Armando Bejarano walked up to a tall, imposing junior named Ben Richards and said, “I want be like you when I grow up.” Bejarano, now a senior, remembers that what started out as joke led to a friendship he credits with saving his life.

From seventh grade on, Bejarano admits to “always being in trouble.” The trouble wasn’t just bad grades or bad friends; it was gang involvement that was quickly becoming serious. “[Richards] was one of those people who was always keeping me positive,” Bejarano said. “A lot of times I could text him, and while other people would say ‘Oh, that sucks,’ he would take the time to write entire paragraphs … he was just always there for me. He’s one of the people who saved my life.”

Because of Richards, Bejarano was given the opportunity to attend a wrestling club for free, and he credits Richards with motivating and encouraging him in the sport. “He was always a really hard worker, and I guess it kind of rubbed off on me,” Bejarano said.

The two continued to keep in contact until Richards passed.

“When I heard he was in the hospital, I couldn’t believe it. And then when he died, I was angry. I felt guilty … he was such a good person. There are so many people it could have been … I wished it had been me instead.”

Richards’ coach at HHS, Mike Patrick, called him one of a kind.

“I have only coached one student who even comes close to his determination and work ethic. Ben came back last year to join my coaching staff, so he was not only one of my athletes but one of my best friends also,” Patrick said. “He will always be remembered and I will have an end-of-the-year award in his honor.”

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sports19

For a Lightning season preview, go to hhstoday.com

November 2013 | hhstoday.com

A legacy 40 years in the making When Earl Garcia Jr. started coaching football in 1973, gas cost 45 cents a gallon, Richard Nixon was president and cell phones had just been invented. In the years since, Garcia has coached for 40 years, and he is still trucking along.

Daniel Hamilton Sports Editor Garcia has dreamed of coaching since high school. Even while he played on the football team at Plant High School, and later at Washburn University, he knew that coaching was his passion.

“Not many people get to do what they want to in life,” Garcia said, “For me, it was a non-negotiable item; I think I was chosen to do this.”

Garcia contributes his success as head coach for 28 years to the perseverance of everyone on the football staff, the quality of players and even the administration of the school.

“I’ve been surrounded with really good players, with really good, dedicated assistant coaches,” Garcia said. “I’ve been blessed here.”

He also contributes his success to supEarl Garcia instructs the special teams squad during the game against Durant on Oct. 25 (Photo by Daniel Hamilton)

Earl Garcia’s Wins

Hillsborough Terriers

Opponent Wins

Years Coached Playoff Appearances

Years AT HHS

port from his wife, Gilda, who is the principal at DeSoto Elementary School. “[She] understands that there are lessons that you learn in a locker room, or a baseball field, or a football field, or a swimming pool that you can’t learn in a classroom, and she knows that and she’s supported me for 30 years,” Garcia said.

Since becoming the head coach at Hillsborough, Garcia has won 185 games, and has lost only 55. That record, along with his pre-Hillsborough record of 33-38, for a combined record of 218-93, is good enough to make him the second most winningest coach in Hillsborough County.

This is behind only retired former Hillsborough and Chamberlain head coach, Billy Turner, who has 254 wins.

Even with all of these wins, certain experiences stand out among the rest.

He said the best game in his 40 years on the job was the day of the game against Pensacola in 1996 when he qualified Hillsborough for the state championship game. His best experience overall, however, was when he got to coach his son, Earl III, for three years in high school. This experience outranks even his chances to coach at Raymond James Stadium, the Rose Bowl and many other venues.

••• Through the years, Garcia has witnessed many changes in the concept of the game of high school football.

“High school football is now what college football was when I started coaching,” Garcia said. “The only thing that has stayed the same is the field.”

Now Garcia has 16 assistant coaches , a chaplain, a fieldhouse, a weight room and year-round practices as part of his program. When he started, he had three assistant coaches, and that was the extent of coaching in high school. Now, there are tutors, videographers, strength and conditioning coaches, equipment managers, a hydration coach and a crew that prepares Chelo Huerta Field for gameday.

•••

After he does stop coaching, Garcia has a plan for what he wants to do. He wants to sell cars.

Garcia’s hobby is cars, and he loves stock car racing.

“I hang out in the car lots,” Garcia said. “I change cars every couple of years. When I retire, I’m probably going to sell cars. I’m a car guy.”

As for when he will retire from coaching, Garcia doesn’t have a set timeline.

“As long as I still feel competitive [I’ll remain a coach],” Garcia said. “The program deserves a guy who comes to work every day trying to make them better. The second I lose that fire, I’ll get out that day.”

2013 Inductees to HHS Football Hall of Fame

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20 sports

hhstoday.com | November 2013

Bump, Set Dominate Katie Frost PhotoEditor Ending the season with a 15-7 record, including tournaments, the volleyball team placed second in the district and went to the first round of regionals.

“This is the best season that we’ve ever had,” junior Kiki Sutherland said of the team’s great success this year.

Players and coaches alike have credited the team’s winning record this year to both a tight-knit team and the movement of player’s positions from last season.

“We all work really well together. We feed off of each other,” said junior Kaylina Muniz of the unbreakable chemistry of the girls.

Left photo: Co-captain Jessica Powell observes and makes corrections as the Dancerettes practice kick lines during band practice. (Photo by Dana Dinh) Right photo: Senior Erin Davenport puts her best foot forward during an away game against Jefferson. (Photo by Hannah Baade)

Dancerettes work to stay superior Dana Dinh Staff Writer

Junior Alex Lutton gets ready to return a serve in a game against Gaither. (Photo by Katie Frost)

The Dancerettes have managed to place first in their division at Lion’s Pride and receive superiors at MPA just like they have in previous years, despite some challenges before the competitions.

Weeks of pouring rain impeded on their practices. According to junior Rachel Chang, if there was no lightning the Dancerettes had to

practice in the rain because they had “nowhere else to go.” To make up for canceled practices, they held two extra practices.

“We had so much rain… [and] we were behind in choreography.

That’s why we needed a big Saturday practice to catch up,” Dancerette sponsor Linda Wilson said.

Another challenge the Dancerettes faced this year was having a larger team and many new dancers.

“Last year we had a small team, but this year we have almost 20 and eight of them are new,” said senior Erin Davenport. “It’s been a bit of a challenge getting [the new girls] in tune and making sure that everyone is where they’re supposed to be at all times.”

“We really struggled with timing in the second song [Hey Jude] because it was so slow and we had to use props,” sophomore Cici Ogden

said. “But we really came together as a team, worked crazy hard to fix it and it really payed off.”

Wilson said that the Dancerettes were able to maintain superiors because “they’ve been working hard since tryouts.”

Now that marching season is coming to an end, the Dancerettes will start preparing for their regular competition season.

Sports Update The varsity men’s crew team practices for the vigorous regatta schedule with Head of the Hooch and Head of the South being on back-to-back Saturdays. At the Head of the Hooch on Nov. 2 the women’s lightweight double placed first scholastically, the men’s lightweight doubles placed second scholastically, women’s single placed first scholastically and the men’s composite doubles placed third overall. (Photo by Katie Frost) During soccer tryouts junior Stephen Moradiellos juggles a soccer ball with his knees. Tryouts were held on Oct. 17 to build a team for the new season. (Photo by Aleesha Mundra)